SUPPORT SLEEVE
A swing implement, such as a baseball bat ( 9 ), adapted for gripping by the hands of a user having a support surface ( 10 ) between the knob ( 20 ) and the handle ( 30 ) of the swinging implement. The support surface provides a gradual transition between the knob and the handle. The support surface supports the hand of the user while gripping the swinging implement. Another swinging implement ( 10 ) comprises a support surface extending at a shallow angle from the handle between the handle and the end surface of the knob for supporting the hand of the user while gripping the swinging implement. A support sleeve ( 6 c ) adapted to cooperate with a handle and knob of a conventional baseball bat including a support surface for providing added support for the hands of a user gripping the bat.
1 - 28 . (canceled)
29 . A support sleeve adapted to cooperate with a handle and knob of a conventional baseball bat for providing added support for the hands of a batter gripping the bat, said support sleeve comprising:
a bore for receiving the handle of the conventional bat, the bore being sized and shaped to correspond to the portion of the handle directly adjacent the knob, and
a support surface extending at a shallow angle relative to the handle of the bat for providing a gradual transition between the handle of the bat and the knob of the bat for supporting the hand of the batter while gripping the bat, the portion of the support surface remote from the knob of the bat being generally parallel to the bat handle.
30 . A support sleeve as set forth in claim 29 wherein no portion of said support surface extends at an angle greater than about 45 degrees from said handle.
31 . A support sleeve as set forth in claim 30 wherein at least a portion of said support surface extends at an angle of less than about 30 degrees from said handle.
32 . A support sleeve as set forth in claim 31 wherein at least a portion of said support surface extends at an angle of less than about 15 degrees from said handle.
33 . A support sleeve as set forth in claim 29 wherein the radius of curvature of the support surface is at least as large as the radius of the handle of the bat.